Comfort & Health

comfort & health

Too many people are uncomfortable in their homes, shivering all winter long and counting the days until spring. Some are even afraid to air seal and insulate for fear that their homes will no longer “be able to breathe.”

We can’t tell you how many clients are relieved when we disabuse them of this myth (not to mention that the air in drafty homes sometimes isn’t actually all that fresh). The best practice, which we employ on every project, is to build as tight as we can for the sake of efficiency and comfort, and to implement a carefully planned ventilation strategy for the sake of healthy indoor air.

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Efficiency

efficiency

Resource efficient homes aren’t just better for the earth. They are also better prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

We are quickly coming to the end of an era when we can afford to be profligate about our use of finite natural resources, especially fossil fuels. Because of the long service life of our work, we need to think ahead about resource availability and anticipate how each home will be able to meet occupants’ needs for heat, light, fresh air and water twenty, thirty even fifty years from now. Homes that operate efficiently are able to do more with less and are also better able to withstand disruptions in critical services.

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Beauty

Beauty and style should never be an afterthought in a renovation, especially of an older home. Throughout the planning process, we pay very close attention to the character of the home as well as our clients’ aesthetic and aim to create a design that remains true to both.

When it comes to execution, we match the thoughtfulness of the design with master craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Character and beauty are deeply important to us, and not only because they enhance our clients’ enjoyment of their homes. Homes that are beautiful are also lovingly cared for and much more likely to endure, providing shelter and satisfaction for generations to come.

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Durability

 

Acton barn

We measure the service life of our work not in months or years, but decades and centuries. Which is why we make sure that what we build is built to last.

Buying a home is often the single largest financial investment that people make. Yet, maintenance, repair and renovation costs over the life of a house often exceed the original purchase price by a significant margin. Too often, these ongoing costs are needlessly burdensome. By choosing materials and employing techniques that maximize the lifespan of a home’s components we simplify and lessen future maintenance and repair needs, making homes more sustainable both financially and environmentally.

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Livability

livability

The capacity of a home to meet the current and future lifestyle needs of its occupants with ease is a top priority of every home renovation. Many people embark on a renovation focused on their immediate needs. Perhaps a baby is on the way and there’s a need for casual living and play space. Perhaps a kitchen is dated and cramped and can’t gracefully accommodate both cooking and dining.  

What is often overlooked is the relationship between livability and adaptability. Using smart design principles we strive to create spaces that are flexible enough to fulfill multiple uses and to evolve over time.

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